It's happened to all of us at some point. You're out for a walk with your ARISTODOG and, at some point, you decide or need to go into an establishment where, unfortunately, dogs are not welcome.
It's clear that as ARISTOPARENTS, we avoid these types of situations at all costs. We tend to choose businesses that are pet-friendly, whether it's for having a beer, buying a gift, or even doing our weekly shopping. There are more and more pet-friendly establishments every day. But it's a fact that there are still many that are not pet-friendly... and which, sooner or later, we have to use. It's unavoidable.
And what happens in those cases? We find ourselves in the unpleasant predicament of having to leave our best friend on the street. It's true that we keep a close eye on them, but it's a situation that nobody likes... Especially when you have to leave them on a very busy or too narrow street. It's neither pleasant nor safe.
This is how Dog Parker came about, a network of smart temporary rental kennels for dogs, where New Yorkers can now leave their dogs for as long as they need, while running errands or entering establishments where dogs are not allowed.
Dog Parker arose from a need. The need that Chelsea Brownridge, co-founder of the company, experienced firsthand with her dog Winston, a rescued terrier with whom she shares her life in Brooklyn. According to her, tired of not being able to enjoy her dog's company, worried about the state in which she was forced to leave him on the street, and distressed by the fear that her dog could be stolen or get lost or scared, Chelsea had an idea.
What if she created dog kennels, following the collaborative economy model? That is, temporary rental kennels where New Yorker owners can provisionally leave their dogs while running errands or entering establishments where dogs are not allowed. And just like that, she did it!
Enjoying the convenience of this temporary and convenient accommodation is very simple, as the system works through an app (also called Dog Parker). With it, users can geolocate the closest kennels to their area and reserve a kennel fifteen minutes in advance. The kennel is also opened with the app itself (similar to the electric car and motorcycle networks that are starting to proliferate in large cities). It also allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the kennel and monitor your dog in real time through a webcam installed inside the kennel.
The cost of staying in this temporary kennel is 20 cents per minute. So, for 1 dollar, you get 5 minutes. An intentionally high price... Because the purpose of the service is simply to provide a temporary solution for owners in a bind. But under no circumstances is it an alternative to the daily and responsible care that ARISTODOGS deserve.
Little by little, the network of smart rental kennels is expanding throughout New York, thanks to the good predisposition of local authorities and the agreements the company is reaching with establishments and businesses that, while not admitting or being able to admit dogs, show greater concern for their ARISTOPARENT customers.
It is very significant that this idea has materialized in a city where thousands of vehicles and millions of pedestrians pass through every day. A city where a few months ago an exclusive air terminal for pets was inaugurated, in response to the enormous traffic at the airport (more than 70,000 per year). Let's hope we follow suit!